Central & Eastern Europe

Fenwick Elliott LLP has advised clients for many years on large-scale infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe. We have recently advised international contractors and also major employers in the public sector in connection with their projects in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, both on contentious and non-contentious matters.

Our lawyers are thoroughly acquainted with the FIDIC suite of contracts on which most of these projects are based and are used to working through the difficulties encountered in applying FIDIC contracts within a civil law environment.

Over the years, we have built up an extensive network of local counsel in Central and Eastern Europe with whom we work on a regular basis, and which allows us to offer a seamless service to our clients in that region.

Some examples of our work in Central and Eastern Europe include:

Budapest Metro project, Hungary

Acting in conjunction with local co-counsel on behalf of the state owned employer to develop a procurement strategy and structure. This involved assisting the client in drafting and preparing the entire suite of contract documentation including construction contracts (the principal construction contract was based on the FIDIC Yellow Book), direct agreements, professional appointments and performance security documents such as bonds and guarantees.

Rail project, Bulgaria

Advising a State entity following the issue by the contractor of a notice of termination in connection with the electrification and upgrade of a railway line in Bulgaria.

Construction of motorway by-pass, Romania

Advising and representing an Italian contractor in relation to 5 DAB proceedings and subsequent ICC arbitration proceedings against a Romanian state entity regarding claims for extension of time, delay and disruption costs and claims arising from the termination of this contract (FIDIC Red Book).

Road rehabilitation project, Romania

Advising and representing another Italian contractor in an ICC arbitration in relation to claims for extension of time and prolongation costs on a road rehabilitation project (FIDIC Red Book).

Water supply project, Romania

Advising a Greek contractor in DAB proceedings in a claim for wrongful termination of its contract by the Romanian state in relation to the upgrading of a water supply system (FIDIC Yellow Book).

Wastewater treatment plant, Romania

Advising another Greek contractor in relation to DAB proceedings against the Romanian State following import restrictions and late payment (FIDIC Yellow Book).

Motorway project, Romania

Representing an international joint venture (Spanish-Austrian) in connection with DAB proceedings against a Romanian State entity in connection with claims for extension of time and prolongation/disruption costs (FIDIC Yellow Book).